Speaking on a range of issues, the Prime Minister laughed off opposition criticism that India was "selling out to the World Trade Organisation (WTO)" by lowering its economic boundaries. "We will do nothing that is against the interest of the country," he said. Asked if his Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) closeassociate, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, agreed with that point of view, he said: "We are constantly in touch." Vajpayee and a host of BJP leaders are in Goa to attend the national executive meet of the party. The Prime Minister faced many questions about the stability of his coalition in view of the uncertainity caused by recent statements of some political parties which are part of it. Vajpayee said he did not "see any instability". There was no political alternative to the BJP in ruling the country, he said.

Asked if the Congress party could bounce back to power with support from smaller political groups, Vajpayee shot back: "Who's going to give them the chance to form the government?" He dismissed the contention that his coalition was unstable. Asked how he managed to bring about a thaw in relations with Pakistan though he appeared to have failed on that front with his coalition partner Jayaram Jayalalitha, he said smilingly: "Don't bracket the two."